{"id":1913,"date":"2022-09-23T23:43:36","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T23:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.llaus.org\/?page_id=1913"},"modified":"2024-03-06T15:30:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T21:30:45","slug":"meet-debora-copy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.llaus.org\/index.php\/meet-debora-copy\/","title":{"rendered":"Copy of Meet Debora"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\tMEET THE FOUNDER\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tDebora Lee-Ricks- Chatman-Washington.\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tDEBORA LEE CHATMAN-WASHINGTON\n\t<\/h1>\n

\n\t\tFOUNDER & SONGWRITER\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

 <\/p>\n

I was born, Debora Lee Ricks – second child out of six children, I was 7 years old, when my mother abandoned us.<\/p>\n

I was raised in a very dysfunctional environment by my alcoholic father.\u00a0 My\u00a0 eyes where forced open to a world beyond my years.<\/p>\n

I knew that children had a voice. They deserved to be heard and, “not just seen.” My siblings and I\u00a0 had to fend for ourselves and help raise an infant sister, in our mother’s absence.<\/p>\n

I was 15 and 9 months pregnant\u00a0 when I found my mother I was very happy to have her back in my life. She would sometimes watch my daughter while I was in school.<\/p>\n

Six weeks after reuniting with my mother I was notified by school officials to go home.\u00a0 My mother was found dead on the floor in her apartment.<\/p>\n

At 16,\u00a0 I discovered a solace through journaling my thoughts. Inspired by the Motown Sound especially, Smokey Robinson’s voice and writing style. .<\/p>\n

At 17, I found myself in the education system, trying to help give back to young people all those things that I so desired as a child-love, hope, and a chance for success.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"1\"

 <\/p>\n

Debora Washington is living proof that if you believe in the driving force within you and trust God, you will succeed. With or without family, you must keep going and know,\u00a0 God, is with you.<\/p>\n\t

Debora Washington is living proof that if you believe in the driving force within you and trust God, you will succeed. With or without family, you must keep going and know,\u00a0 God, is with you.<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Junk Food King & Queen Awareness Song\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\tMy Why\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"Looking